The Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve to the north-east of Berlin is a fascinating land- scape which changes from extensive forest to open land, and from deep valleys to prominent peaks. The pronounced geographical relief reflects the events of the last Ice Age, when glaciers engulfed and transformed the face of the landscape with their mighty ice masses. Grumsin is a very special beech forest that has remained completely undisturbed for 20 years. In these terminal moraine formations, the valleys are dotted with peatlands and small bodies of water, which are closely intertwined with the beech forests to create atmospheric landscape.

Beech forest type

Grumsin is a protected area of ancient natural lowland beech forest on Ice Age sand and loam soils. The predominant forest type is the millet grass beech forest.

History

Historical research shows that the deciduous forests of Grumsin have been preserved almost in their entirety for several hundred years. In the former German Democratic Republic, the site was a government-owned hunting ground. The restricted access benefited numerous rare species of fauna that are sensitive to disruption. Since 1990, Grumsin has been a significant element at the core of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Schorfheide-Chorin. The minimal silvicultural use and general lack of usage for more than 20 years means that the area is characterised by a high proportion of old wood, making the Grumsin beech forests extremely valuable from a nature conservation viewpoint.

Habitats

Deep valleys dotted with a varied range of peatlands and small bodies of water alternate with prominent peaks. This structural diversity in a com- paratively small space is home to a wealth of fauna and flora species.

Flora and fauna

White-tailed eagles, black storks and cranes are among the particular ornithological highlights of this area. Tree frogs thrive in the countless small natural bodies of water, and the intact peatlands are home to rare species of plant such as the sundew and cotton sedge.

The World Natural Heritage component part

Grumsin is a component part of the World Natural Heritage property almost in its entirety, and covers an area of 590 hectares.